I really like the Somnia Tarot. This was a deck that really opened up Tarot for me and allowed me to journey in the card and get intuitive hits versus strictly using what I know the card means . This is the first deck that I own that doesn’t have any facial expressions and for me it helped me connect to the cards. The artist struggles with sleep paralysis and night terrors and I found that to be fascinating. Not every card is a stunner but I like the imagery. I also bought the companion book that he sells on his Etsy shop and it explains more of his artistic process. Overall I’m enjoying it.
This deck was an impulse buy for me and I love it! I personally got into learning about the artist, his inspiration and his process and that’s what makes me love it more. The main shadow deck for me after years of looking
The deck itself looks and seems very haunting. It has a horror element to it and I think would be good for shadow work. Also I think it could be a good clarification deck or a deck to read for difficult people. Thank you for sharing as always. Blessings. 🙏🏼
Thank you for your first impression video, Raecine. Puritanical, first settler vibe...yes, absolutely. I immediately thought about the film "The VVitch". Settings, colours, eerie feel. So similar.
Thank you for purchasing this so I don’t have to lol. The artwork is SO beautiful but I think working with it consistently would put me in a depressive episode, and I’m somebody who loves a dark moody shadow deck! It just feels very austere and monotone - maybe a deck for a Capricorn (KIDDING)
This comment just made me laugh as I am in fact a capricorn and have grown fond of using this deck 😅 especially since I started pairing it with the Smoke, Ash and Embers which may seem a weird choice at first. But it's incredible how they energetically sort of melt together and "warm up" each other to create a very comforting experience
This deck is really austere, for sure. I know it was made during the height of covid, and I think it carries a whole lot of that isolated energy. I think, too, that it needs to be considered "it's own world", kind of like the deviant moon. It's not a deck that feels super balanced though.
I’ve debated about this deck for a long time. While the artwork makes me feel a lot of emotions-fear, paranoia, claustrophobia, and that feeling of being controlled-I just don’t think every card in the deck was given an equal amount of care. If you’re going to do a RWS deck, then stick with 100% scenic minors 🤷🏻♀️ With that being said, I do love the artwork and the story behind the deck. Thanks for sharing your thoughts ♥️♥️
Racine, Mercury in retrograde is a struggle. That being said, I loved your grumpy review of The Somnia Tarot. We never really know if were going to like a deck untill it's in our hands. I hope it works out between you two. All my best, Amber
Ethel Cain vibes describes it so well! Just ordered the illustrated edition, I'll make sure to have Preacher's Daughter in the background while walking through it.
That’s one I’m going back & forth on as I feel it could really benefit my anxiety & unease about death. Do you recommend it still, now that you’ve both had 10 months together? Any opinions would be appreciated as there’s not too much chatter regarding that deck.
Ohh WoW it's the Somnia Tarot by Nicolas Bruno. That was a really funny story 🤣 I totally feel the same. Jonesing for the tarot deck. The artwork is exquisite 😃👌 thank you Nicolas Bruno.
I kept getting Handmaid’s Tale vibes, as in very dystopian and stark but almost in a performative way. Maybe I’m also just in a mood. 😆 I’m very curious to hear what you think after working with it!
Soo cranky! I actually like that his deck is both scenic and pippish. Love the covered faces, it's not distracting and leaves room for imagination. Plus, it's the trademark of his work, you can look up his other projects. Those are all creatures from his night terrors and in the photographs he poses as every one of them. In these tarot cards every time you see a male figure, even if it's multiple - it's him. So the hood allows him to do that too.
This unboxing is such a mood! You nailed it with the claustrophobia. The lack of movement in this deck makes me extremely anxious. I had a moment at the end of 2022 where I wanted to add an indie photography deck to my collection. It came down to this one and The Witches Tarot. Thank goodness I went with the latter. I’ve become completely obsessed with The Witches Tarot in the last week. No regretting my choice. Thank you for sharing this!
I don't like photo decks, but the Somnia is simply incredible and together with the Oculi Occultati and the TrueBlack is my favourite deck. I'm sure you're gonna love it once you've gotten to know it.
I debated about buying this deck for a long time. I did get the companion book, but I think I like this deck for pondering the artwork more than using it as a working deck.
I would do a new deck interview with this deck right off. Give you an idea of where it's coming from. Looks to me like it was made to REALLY sit with it. Not going to give you any help with answers, however if you sit and THINK, per your question, the answer will come through. Perhaps that's why the faces are covered, so you can't read the emotions. Almost, like it should have been named the high priestess deck. Look within, you'll find your answer. Deeply intuitive. What do you think Raecine on my take on this deck? Would love to know! Thanks for sharing because I was on the fence about purchasing it.
Hi Racine! I have the Somnia Tarot and it is taking quite a while for me to connect with the deck and I do think for some of the same reasons that you provided. I do wonder if the claustrophobic feeling he conveys in the imagery comes from his experiences of living with sleep paralysis? He does have a nice guide book on his site that includes images and it explains why he posed the photo the way that he did, specific "symbols", and how they tie into other cards. That is what has helped me to connect...still a work in progress though :) !
Hello, thank you very much for the deck introduction. But may I know what the size of the card is, when compared to Rider Waite Smith? Bigger or smaller? 😊☺🙏
I see this deck everywhere and I have watched reviews and walk throughs, I cannot find a single card in the deck that I connect to or like. Maybe it's different when it's in your hands and you work with it but it's a hard no for me in terms of purchasing it for myself. I hope you connect with it and it turns out to be a great deck for you to work with.
Thanks as always for the honest, straightforward review. I also saw this deck and was immediately compelled to have it for some reason and it was an impulse buy. I love dark decks and the photography in it spooked me and intrigued me at the same time. I just watched the The Witch not too long ago and have been watching a lot of things based in this type of Puritanical imagery, so that's probably why it appealed to me so much. Love the muted color palate. After unboxing it, I wasnt sure how to feel about it at first, but it's growing on me in a big way. Liking the staged, frozen in time aspect of the photos. The lack of facial expressions allows me to freely project my own inner state into the interpretation of the card on an intuitive level. Totally agree about some of the minors feeling very pipish and I dont like that aspect at all. Might remove those cards that dont speak to me and use the rest as an oracle deck or possibly combine readings with other decks. It'll be interested to see how it plays out.
He sells a proper separate guidebook in his etsy shop. I’ve had the deck and book in my cart for weeks… trying to decide if I should pull the trigger. I’m still unsure if I’m ready to invest lol
Thank you for this review, Raecine. I have this deck and the companion book which Nicolas Bruno wrote for it on the way. It’s austere and faceless, but I believe that was deliberate. For me, it’s a chronograph deck. I thought it would be a good one to have to remember the covid era by. I’m sure there are other decks which were produced during these same years, but this one certainly speaks to the feeling of it all. Hopefully, we’ll be truly past all this someday.
I love this honest review of the deck. I owned this deck because I loved the photographic concept of the deck and some of the cards are aesthetically very appealing. However, I was unable to project myself or any emotions or feelings especially in the minor arcana. Moreover, the very neutral colors of this deck and the repetition of the settings bored me. I did not keep it because I am not a collector. I want to use my decks. I also understand the claustrophobic feeling. I think it's a shame to have a deck with characters but not see the emotions on the face. It reminds me a bit of a throwback to the Covid period when masks prevented us from reading certain emotions in each other. So this deck left me with a feeling of frustration. Some consider that for all these same reasons it can be a good deck for shadow work. I'm curious to see if, over time, you'll make a connection with this deck 😊
So glad to see this impressions video. I was just about to order this but this helped me see that this deck is not for me. I love dark themed decks but there are others that work very well for me and this one just doesn't grab me at all.
Austere. I understand what it is trying to do but feel at the moment, it is just mudding the waters. It is not taking you all the way across the water like it should to the other shore. Maybe the vibe will keep shifting across the retrograde for now seems to fall short.
Thank you for this unboxing! What an interesting deck. I like the color palette and that isolated feeling, but I kind of dislike the repeated surroundings and how some minors really feel boring and rushed through. The court cards are wow though! (I drink the decaf version of Yorkshire tea haha well, before bedtime if I am craving black tea :) You don't ever drink herbal, green or rooibus?)
Wow, I was just wondering whether there was a deck which utilises 'sleep' and dreams. Now that I'm sleeping for the first time in my life, now I can see why people enjoy sleeping so much, lol.
I was debating on this deck or The Witches Tarot. I am kind of aiming for The Witches Tarot as I like darker decks. I also want to support a fellow photographer as I do photography as a hobby.
I've been on the fence with this deck for-e-ver. It's probably more the investment. I think it's beautiful but I'm not sure what it pulls out of me . I almost feel like I prefer a visceral reaction than one that's so bland? Not sure that's the right word. I am looking forward to your review, if it happens.
I actually really like this deck for shadow work. To me it has a confrontational aspect and is intentionally uncomfortable. I haven’t worked with it a lot but it has a power. I don’t see this as phoned in. I feel like he really tried to push how he used the photography for tarot
Due to FOMO, I bought this deck mid last year when it first came out. it's currently sitting on my bookself unopened as I don't feel called to use it. For me, it feels inconsistent, cold, and uninviting.
I really like the Somnia Tarot. This was a deck that really opened up Tarot for me and allowed me to journey in the card and get intuitive hits versus strictly using what I know the card means . This is the first deck that I own that doesn’t have any facial expressions and for me it helped me connect to the cards. The artist struggles with sleep paralysis and night terrors and I found that to be fascinating. Not every card is a stunner but I like the imagery. I also bought the companion book that he sells on his Etsy shop and it explains more of his artistic process. Overall I’m enjoying it.
This deck was an impulse buy for me and I love it! I personally got into learning about the artist, his inspiration and his process and that’s what makes me love it more. The main shadow deck for me after years of looking
The deck itself looks and seems very haunting. It has a horror element to it and I think would be good for shadow work. Also I think it could be a good clarification deck or a deck to read for difficult people. Thank you for sharing as always. Blessings. 🙏🏼
Thank you for your first impression video, Raecine. Puritanical, first settler vibe...yes, absolutely. I immediately thought about the film "The VVitch". Settings, colours, eerie feel. So similar.
I instantly thought of The VVitch as well.
Thank you for purchasing this so I don’t have to lol. The artwork is SO beautiful but I think working with it consistently would put me in a depressive episode, and I’m somebody who loves a dark moody shadow deck! It just feels very austere and monotone - maybe a deck for a Capricorn (KIDDING)
Hahaha 🤣. I totally get it!
This comment just made me laugh as I am in fact a capricorn and have grown fond of using this deck 😅 especially since I started pairing it with the Smoke, Ash and Embers which may seem a weird choice at first. But it's incredible how they energetically sort of melt together and "warm up" each other to create a very comforting experience
@@frolleinklee Hahah, love that it made you laugh! It totally makes sense it’s a comforting deck for you because its energy feels SO Saturnian to me!
This deck is really austere, for sure. I know it was made during the height of covid, and I think it carries a whole lot of that isolated energy. I think, too, that it needs to be considered "it's own world", kind of like the deviant moon. It's not a deck that feels super balanced though.
That’s so good to know!
I’ve debated about this deck for a long time. While the artwork makes me feel a lot of emotions-fear, paranoia, claustrophobia, and that feeling of being controlled-I just don’t think every card in the deck was given an equal amount of care. If you’re going to do a RWS deck, then stick with 100% scenic minors 🤷🏻♀️ With that being said, I do love the artwork and the story behind the deck.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts ♥️♥️
Racine, Mercury in retrograde is a struggle. That being said, I loved your grumpy review of The Somnia Tarot. We never really know if were going to like a deck untill it's in our hands. I hope it works out between you two. All my best, Amber
Ethel Cain vibes. As a Capricorn, definitely speaking my language. Love the illustrated edition as well.
Ethel Cain vibes describes it so well! Just ordered the illustrated edition, I'll make sure to have Preacher's Daughter in the background while walking through it.
Raecine this deck paired with the Death Doula Oracle is frigging mind blowing 🖤
That’s one I’m going back & forth on as I feel it could really benefit my anxiety & unease about death. Do you recommend it still, now that you’ve both had 10 months together? Any opinions would be appreciated as there’s not too much chatter regarding that deck.
Read his reasoning behind the deck. It’s about his troubles with insomnia, night terrors, and sleep paralysis.
Ohh WoW it's the Somnia Tarot by Nicolas Bruno. That was a really funny story 🤣 I totally feel the same. Jonesing for the tarot deck. The artwork is exquisite 😃👌 thank you Nicolas Bruno.
I kept getting Handmaid’s Tale vibes, as in very dystopian and stark but almost in a performative way. Maybe I’m also just in a mood. 😆 I’m very curious to hear what you think after working with it!
Soo cranky!
I actually like that his deck is both scenic and pippish. Love the covered faces, it's not distracting and leaves room for imagination. Plus, it's the trademark of his work, you can look up his other projects. Those are all creatures from his night terrors and in the photographs he poses as every one of them. In these tarot cards every time you see a male figure, even if it's multiple - it's him. So the hood allows him to do that too.
This unboxing is such a mood! You nailed it with the claustrophobia. The lack of movement in this deck makes me extremely anxious. I had a moment at the end of 2022 where I wanted to add an indie photography deck to my collection. It came down to this one and The Witches Tarot. Thank goodness I went with the latter. I’ve become completely obsessed with The Witches Tarot in the last week. No regretting my choice.
Thank you for sharing this!
I don't like photo decks, but the Somnia is simply incredible and together with the Oculi Occultati and the TrueBlack is my favourite deck.
I'm sure you're gonna love it once you've gotten to know it.
This made me giggle about the tea you drink as I live in Yorkshire! Lol . Xx
Beautiful imagery, very “out of the box” interpretation of tarot that’s refreshing. Excited to add this to my collection.
I debated about buying this deck for a long time. I did get the companion book, but I think I like this deck for pondering the artwork more than using it as a working deck.
Give it a whirl Raecine, would LOVE to hear your full review of it , after working with it!
I love this deck! I love how uncomfortable it makes me feel. It triggers me but I haven’t figured out what it’s exactly triggering.
I would do a new deck interview with this deck right off. Give you an idea of where it's coming from. Looks to me like it was made to REALLY sit with it. Not going to give you any help with answers, however if you sit and THINK, per your question, the answer will come through. Perhaps that's why the faces are covered, so you can't read the emotions. Almost, like it should have been named the high priestess deck. Look within, you'll find your answer. Deeply intuitive. What do you think Raecine on my take on this deck? Would love to know! Thanks for sharing because I was on the fence about purchasing it.
Love your words and first impression of the deck!
Hi Racine! I have the Somnia Tarot and it is taking quite a while for me to connect with the deck and I do think for some of the same reasons that you provided. I do wonder if the claustrophobic feeling he conveys in the imagery comes from his experiences of living with sleep paralysis? He does have a nice guide book on his site that includes images and it explains why he posed the photo the way that he did, specific "symbols", and how they tie into other cards. That is what has helped me to connect...still a work in progress though :) !
Hello, thank you very much for the deck introduction. But may I know what the size of the card is, when compared to Rider Waite Smith? Bigger or smaller? 😊☺🙏
I see this deck everywhere and I have watched reviews and walk throughs, I cannot find a single card in the deck that I connect to or like. Maybe it's different when it's in your hands and you work with it but it's a hard no for me in terms of purchasing it for myself. I hope you connect with it and it turns out to be a great deck for you to work with.
Thanks as always for the honest, straightforward review. I also saw this deck and was immediately compelled to have it for some reason and it was an impulse buy. I love dark decks and the photography in it spooked me and intrigued me at the same time. I just watched the The Witch not too long ago and have been watching a lot of things based in this type of Puritanical imagery, so that's probably why it appealed to me so much. Love the muted color palate. After unboxing it, I wasnt sure how to feel about it at first, but it's growing on me in a big way. Liking the staged, frozen in time aspect of the photos. The lack of facial expressions allows me to freely project my own inner state into the interpretation of the card on an intuitive level. Totally agree about some of the minors feeling very pipish and I dont like that aspect at all. Might remove those cards that dont speak to me and use the rest as an oracle deck or possibly combine readings with other decks. It'll be interested to see how it plays out.
He sells a proper separate guidebook in his etsy shop. I’ve had the deck and book in my cart for weeks… trying to decide if I should pull the trigger. I’m still unsure if I’m ready to invest lol
Thank you for this review, Raecine. I have this deck and the companion book which Nicolas Bruno wrote for it on the way. It’s austere and faceless, but I believe that was deliberate. For me, it’s a chronograph deck. I thought it would be a good one to have to remember the covid era by. I’m sure there are other decks which were produced during these same years, but this one certainly speaks to the feeling of it all. Hopefully, we’ll be truly past all this someday.
I love this honest review of the deck. I owned this deck because I loved the photographic concept of the deck and some of the cards are aesthetically very appealing. However, I was unable to project myself or any emotions or feelings especially in the minor arcana. Moreover, the very neutral colors of this deck and the repetition of the settings bored me. I did not keep it because I am not a collector. I want to use my decks. I also understand the claustrophobic feeling. I think it's a shame to have a deck with characters but not see the emotions on the face. It reminds me a bit of a throwback to the Covid period when masks prevented us from reading certain emotions in each other. So this deck left me with a feeling of frustration. Some consider that for all these same reasons it can be a good deck for shadow work. I'm curious to see if, over time, you'll make a connection with this deck 😊
Thank you so much for sharing this perspective ❤️
So glad to see this impressions video. I was just about to order this but this helped me see that this deck is not for me. I love dark themed decks but there are others that work very well for me and this one just doesn't grab me at all.
Me parece una baraja tan hermosa 😍
Austere. I understand what it is trying to do but feel at the moment, it is just mudding the waters. It is not taking you all the way across the water like it should to the other shore. Maybe the vibe will keep shifting across the retrograde for now seems to fall short.
Thank you for this unboxing! What an interesting deck. I like the color palette and that isolated feeling, but I kind of dislike the repeated surroundings and how some minors really feel boring and rushed through. The court cards are wow though! (I drink the decaf version of Yorkshire tea haha well, before bedtime if I am craving black tea :) You don't ever drink herbal, green or rooibus?)
Wow, I was just wondering whether there was a deck which utilises 'sleep' and dreams. Now that I'm sleeping for the first time in my life, now I can see why people enjoy sleeping so much, lol.
I love your sweater!
I was debating on this deck or The Witches Tarot. I am kind of aiming for The Witches Tarot as I like darker decks. I also want to support a fellow photographer as I do photography as a hobby.
I've been on the fence with this deck for-e-ver. It's probably more the investment. I think it's beautiful but I'm not sure what it pulls out of me . I almost feel like I prefer a visceral reaction than one that's so bland? Not sure that's the right word. I am looking forward to your review, if it happens.
Stark is the word that comes to mind.
Absolutely!!!
Were you looking for the word austere? That’s definitely what I thought of
Not sure about the deck, but glad you clarified about the oxblood, LoL!! I don't like the pippy coins suit.
Please do a review ❤
Ascetic!!
The Fool card looks suicidal, no thanks
He is doing a new deck that is a more cartoon style
I actually really like this deck for shadow work. To me it has a confrontational aspect and is intentionally uncomfortable. I haven’t worked with it a lot but it has a power. I don’t see this as phoned in. I feel like he really tried to push how he used the photography for tarot
Ooh what is your "tarot wall?"
Caught that didn’t you 😆😏? I may show it at some point. I keep tarot info cards from decks I like on it lol!
Due to FOMO, I bought this deck mid last year when it first came out. it's currently sitting on my bookself unopened as I don't feel called to use it. For me, it feels inconsistent, cold, and uninviting.
Not for me, thanks 💐🇳🇿🦘🦘🦘🦘🦘🇳🇿💐💐💐💐💐💐💐
I didn't like the deck, it felt cold, without emotion.